Gasometer



OSL 27, 1931- K. JAGscHlTz ET A1. 1,829,519

GASOMETER Filed March lO, 192'? 8 Sheets-Shee l 27, 19.21. K. JAGscHlTzE-rAL '1,829,519

GASOKBTER Filed March l0, 1927 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 y MM @bho/MWI Oct. 27, 1931.

K. JAGscHITz ET AL 1,829,519

GASOMETER Filed March 10, 1927 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 @Ci 27, 193;@ K. JAGscHlTz ETAL 1,829,519

GASOMETER Filed March l0, 192'? l 'och 21,' 1931. K.. Mmmm-A1; 829,519

GASOHETER :fi-18d Harsh 1o. 1927 e sneeuw-sheet @2L-27, 1931- K. A.JAGscHnz ET AL 1,829,519

GASOMETER Filed March 10, 192'? 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 E ,/8 i 35 f4 011.27, 1931. K, JAGSCHn-i ETAL 1,829,519

GASOMETER Filed March 10 1927 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 .Tar

Oct. 27, l19.2.1.

3 Phase L he K. JAGSCHITZ ET AL GASOMETER 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed March lo, 19127v Patented Oct. 27, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE KUNRAD JAGSCHITZ, OI MAINZ, GERMANY, AND' PAUL M. KUEHN. 0I BALTIMORE,

MARYLAND, ASSIGNOBS Ol' ONE-HALF T0 MABCHIHENI'ABBII AUGSBURG-NUEN- BERG, A. G., F NUREMBEBG, GERMANY, A CORPORATIQN 0F GERMANY, AND ONE- HALF TQ THE BARTLEIT HAYWARD COMPANY, 0l` BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, A

CORPORATION 0l' MARYLAND A Gasoim'rm.

Application Med lush 10, `198'?. Serial Io. 174.8461.y l

This invention rtains to gasometers of the socalled water ess ty and has to deal more particuarly. with t e means ein loyed for withdrawing the used sealing liqui from vthe lower ortion of the holder. separating the water t erefrom, and thereafter securing proper distribution of the sealing liquid to the up er portionof the holder.

Holders of the type to which this invention is a plicable are shown, for instance, in United tates Letters Patent Nos. 1,275,696 and l 481,099. So, also, in United States Letters Fatent No. 1,545,960 there is shown collecting means for the sealing liquid employed in holders of the type claimed in said earlier patents and as set forthherein.

The present apparatus is in a sense animprovement u on the apparatus set forth, in the last numbered lpatent. Generally speaking, it may be sai to comprise a series of units located about the base of the holder, each unit receiving, from a trou h or channel located within the holder at its base, the liquid sealing medium, as tar, which flows down the inner face of the wall of the holder, the lighter oils, as well as such water as may be present in the tar and that which condenses upon the wall of the holder. Each of said units is provided with means for separating the tar from the water, means for returning the tar to the upper portion of the holder 'for use in connection with the sealing elements of the movable closure or piston; and means for forcing the water and light oils) to a settling tank common to all the units where aaseparation of any tar carried by -the water is effected, the tank also serving as a reservoir for tar for the holder.

The tar pump in each unit is electrically driven' and the circuit therefor is controlled through a float actuated'switch. The water or skimmer pumps ofthe various units are electrically vinterconnected and means is preferably provided to cause them to be operated periodically so that in effect the apparat-us as a whole is self controlling requiring but a minimum of attention and inspection.

.Xn embodiment ot the invention is shown in the annexed drawings, wherein:

'the s Figure 1 is an elevation, partl in section, and more or less diagrammatic, o agas holder with the system above outlined associated therewith, V 4

Fi re 2 a. transverse horizontal section on the line lI-II of Figure 1 Figure 3 a horizontal sectional view taken on the line III--III of Figure 4, showing one of the skimmer tanks or units, with its tar return pump and its water or skimmer ump;

and the settling and su ply tank w ich is in communication with t e water lines leading from the various skimmer pumps, the settling tank being shown on a somewhat smaller scale,

Fim a vertical sectional view of one of er tanks and the settlin supply tank taken on the line VIV--IV of igure-,

Figure 5 a. vertical sectional view of the skimmer tank and a rtion of the holder, taken on the line V-Vpdf Figure 3,

Fi re 6 is a similar view on'the line VI-il of Figure 3,

7 a like 'view on the line VII-VII of Figure 3,

Figure 8 a vertical lsectional view'of the settling supplfy tank taken on the line VIII- .VIII o Figure 3 Figure 9 a like view of the skimmer tank on the line IX-IX of Figure 3,

rubbing bars or shoes 4 which are held out` wardly in contact with the adjacent face of the holder shell, effects a gas-tight joint around the piston, the tar gradually passing downwardly between the rubbing bars and shell and flowing into an annular trough 5 located at' the base of the shell. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific form of rubbing bar as herein shown.

As above noted, with the present'inven tion it is proposed to employ a. seriesv of skimming tanks located about the base of the holder, the number of course depending upon the size and diameter-of the holder. In the instant case, see Figure 2, eight of such'tanks are shown equi-distantly spaced about the tank and, inasmuch 'as said tanks and the associated arts are the same, a description of one wi l suiiice for all.

The tanks indicated as a whole by6v are located adjacent the base of the holder,` being s aced therefrom by a housing or chamber indicated generally by 7 i in which are located the skinuner and'tar pumps hereini after specifically referred to.

extending from the inner to the outer walls- 12 and 13 thereof, said partition making a -gas-tight t with the top 14 but terminating short of the bottom 15, Figures 5 and 9, so that tar may flow from chamber 9 beneath said partition to the tar chamber 10.

At each ofthe skimmer tanks means is provided for withdrawing the water and tar from the gutter 5 and disposing of the same 'y in such manner that the tar will be segregated from the water and light oils-the tar being returned to the upper trough 3 while the watertv and light oils areforced to the settling tank and ultimately to the gas .com-

panys' separator. The water handling means 4will be iirst described,

Referring more particularly to Figuregi,

4, 7` and 9, itwill be noted that there is'pro-y vided a casting 18, Figures 3 and 7, whichv opens through the wall of the holder directly finto the gutter 5, said casting carrying an adjustable weir 19, the upper edge of which is normally set above the normal tar level of the gutter. The casting, at its lower end,

is connected'to a pipe 20 which in turn is connected to the intake fitting 21 of an electrically driven pump 22. Said fitting is also connected to a pipe 23, the inner end whereof extends into and downwardly in the pocket 8, see Figure 7.

' Valves 24and 25 are located in the vpipes 20 and 23, respectively, so that the pump, when in operation may draw water through the pipe 20 or the pipe 23, as the case may be.

Normally the valve 24 is open and the valve 25 closed so that the pump tends to draw water from the gutter 5 through casting 18 over the Weir 19 and through t e pipe 20.

The outlet pipe of the pump is desi ted by 26, a check valve 27, to prevent re ow of water therethrough, being located in said pipe. v A valve 28 is also placed in the pi 26 outward of the check valve 27 and t e pipe, as indicated in dotted lines in Figures 2, 3 and 4, is connected into a main 29. Said main discharges into the main tar reservoir and settling tank denoted by 30, Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 and hereinafter set forth in detail. The various pumps 22 are designed to be simultaneously and automatically oper-k ated though of course they may be thrown into operation by hand in so far as the generic i invention is concerned.

As above indicated, the valve 25 is normally closed but when it is desired to withdraw the water from the pocket 8 through the pipe 23 the valve 24 will be closed and valve 25 opened at which time if the ump is in operation, the lwater will be with rawn from the pocket 8 and discharged to the main 29. 4

' The tar flows from the gutter 5 into the chamber 9. To this end there is provided an intake 31 having the form of an elbow with the mouth opening downwardly and toward the bottom of the gutter. A pipe 32 having a valve 33 located therein extends tothe chamber or compartment 9 where said pipe opens into an adjustable overflow weir 34. A pressure equalizing pipe 35 extends from the upper part of 'the casting 18 into the up per part of the skimmer tank or, more s cifically, into the upper part of the cham er 9 soA that the same gas pressure exists within sai-d compartment as exists within the holder.

The tar flowing into the chamber 9 will, of course, pass into the compartment or chamber 10 beneath the partition 17 from which the tar is withdrawn periodically. The water and light oils which pass into the chamber 9, along with the tar, through the pipe or conduit 32 will, of course, tend to rise upon the surface of the tar and will overflow into the skimmer pocket 8 from which it is withdrawn from time to time, as above indicated, by manipulation of the valves 24 and 25, The tar thus segregated in the main from entrained water and oil passes, as above indicated, into the chamber 10 beneath the partition 17. A

In order that the attendant may ascertain whether or not water is within the chamber 9 or, in other words, whether there is a layer of water on the tar, above the top of the` pocket 8, there is provided a test pipe, best shown in Figures 3. 6 and 7, said pipe being denoted by 36. The test pipe is mounted for rotation in a suitable bearing 37 carried ant, taking hold of the handle 38 will rotate the pipe so as to throw the inner end thereof upwardly. Valve 39 then being open, water will flow through the pipe 36 and into a waste tank 40 located outward of the skimmer tank wall 13. By turning the ipe the attendant can readily gauge the dept of the water within the skimmer tank, drawing the water oil through said pipe 36 or, if need be, manipulating valves 24 and 25 Ato withdraw the water from the water pocket 8 and thus lower the level of the water above the tar withinthe skimmer tank.

The separated, or what might be termed cleaned, tar which ows into the compartment 10 is drawn therefrom by an electrically driven pump denoted generally b 41, see Figures 3, 4 and 5.l The intake of t e pump is connected through a i 42 which extends downwardly towar t e lower portion of the chamber l0 and the outflow side of the pump is connected by a main 43 which leads upwardly alongside of the holder to a distributing box 44 which discharges into the shell of the holder above the movable piston or closure 2.

A check valve 45 is preferably provided -in the main 43 to prevent reiiow of the tar therethrou h. The tar pump is designed to be broug t automatically into operation and to this end there is provided a float 46, see Figures 3, 5 and 9, which ioat is interconnected with a` quick throw switch, indicated generally by 47, controlling the current leading from the source of power to the motor. In-

asmuch as such devices are well known it is deemed unnecessary to disclose the same in detail nor to show the circuits leading to the motor driven pump 41. It will thus be seen that when the cleaned tar rises in the chamber l() to the requisite height, floats 46 will close the circuit and start the pump 4l into operation, thus forcing the purified tar to 'the distributing box 44 and into the holder above the movable piston or closure. Thus, while the vwater and light oils,l which are skimmed od ofthe tar both from the gutter 5 and from within the skimmer tank, are returned to a settling tank, the purified tar is returned directly to the holder.

The settling tank 30, as it may be termed, acts as a reservoir for the tar and also as a further means oi removing any tar which may be carried from the Various skimming tanks through the main 29 to said settling tank 30. Said tank is best shown in Figures 3. 4 and 8.

Main 29 or, more strictly speaking, the two branches thereof which lead from the various skimmer tanks to either side of the settling tank, are connected into a riser 48 which is connectedy at its upper end to a lateral or branch pipe 49 extending into the settling tank 30. A pipe 50 extends upwardly fromthe inner end of the lateral 49 and is sur- Amounted by an overflow or distributing member 5l. Thus the water, with such light oils as may be mixed therewith, passes from all of the skimmer umps to the 'tank 30 where it hows outward y from the head 51 and onto `thebody ofthe tar which is maintained within the tank. The water is designed to be withdrawn from the tank from time to time and to this end there is provided an olf-take pipe 52 provided with an intake nozzle 53 at -its outer end with which is associated a pair of floats as 54. The opposite end of the pipe 52 is swiveled upon a suitable connection 55 which leads through a pipe 56 to a pump 57. The outlet of the pump is connected through a main 58 leading to the gas plant, not shown.

The float will, of course, maintain the suction nozzle 53 slightly below the top of the water and to prevent the nozzle from swing' ing downwardly too far and thus get into the zone of the tar within the tank, a stop chain 59 is connected to the pipe 52 and a xed portion of the tank housing.

Tar will, of course,'accumulate within the tank 30 and to remove the same, piping, as best shown in Figures 3, 4 and 8, is employed.

A pipe 60 extends outwardly from the holder 'l and is connected to the tank 30 through a branch 61 and interconnected vertically disposed pipes 62 and 63, pipe 63 being open 'at its lower end, vented at its upper end, and terminating short of the bottom of the tank 30. -When the water reaches a level, as shown in Figure 8, within the tank 30 the tar will be forced upwardly in the pipe 63, will thence dow outwardly from the upper end thereof into pi through ipe 60 an into gasometer or, more speciibal into gutter 5.

The tar may be ap lied to the reservoir 30 in any desired way ut in the instant case there is shown a supply pipe 64, Figures 3, 4 and 8, which is interconnected by suitable valved branches 65 and 66 with the tank 30 and with a fitting carriedet the outer end of the pipe 60. The valves, of course, after the tank 30 and the gutter and skimmer tanks'have been lled to the requisite degree,

` will be closed.

As heretofore stated, it is designed to have the skimmer pumps 22 operate automatically and at timed intervals. To this end any suitable timing mechanism may be employed, which timing mechanism preferably includes armanually operable circuit closer so that the pumps may be thrown into action between intervals or operation by the timing mechanism, in case of need, or may be thrown e 62 through branch 61, y

y into operation manually 4should the timing mechanism becomeineiective.

In Figures and 11 a timing mechanism, together with the circuits, is disclosed, more or less diagranunatically, whereby the above operations ma be effected. A three phase power line is s own Figure 10, and so indicated by the legen and interposed in the throws the coil intoand out of action and 'consequently-.opens and closes the switch and motor circuit. Said mechanism may be i of any form desired but in the present case a simple embodiment is illustrated. e

.A constantly operating motor 69 drives a worm 70 which in turn is in mesh with a worm gear 71 secured upon a shaft 72. Said shaft, at its other end, carries a wormv 73 meshing with' a worm wheelA 74 mounted u on a shaft 75. The wheel 74,or more specifically the body thereof, willy be formed of a suitable dielectric material such as a phenol condensation product and has secured to it a sector-shaped contact shoe 76, the outer face whereof is formed of suitable conducting material. The shaft 75 carries a collar 77 having a tooth 78 projecting laterally thereto enter one of a series of interdental spaces formed between the teeth 79 produced upon the peripheryl of a disk or wheel 80. The member 80 is s own as provided' with forty-eight teethand the gearing from and adapted isso arranged as to produce a complete revol lution of the member 74 once in every thirty minutes and as a'consequence the member 8O will be revolved once 1n every twenty-four hours. Said member 80 has secured to it a .series of outwardly extending pins 81 formed of suitable dielectric material such as a henol condensation product and spaced a out said member 80 as desired.

Each 'of the (pins 81 carries a metallic 'sleeve 82 adapte to be brought into contact', as the member 80 is rotated, with a air of brushes 83 and 84, the former of w ch is included inthe branch 85 of the i wer line. A second pair of brushes 86 an 87 are so mountedas to come into contact with the conducting shoe 76 when the latter is brought into contact with the same upon rotation of the member 74. Brushes 84 and 86 are interni connected as at.88 and the brush 87 is in the branch 89 of the power line.

-' -A manually operated switch 90 may be employed to close the circuit independently of the timing mechanism, a cross connection 91'extending from the line 85 to one of the switch terlnlnals as is clearly shown in Figure 10. Normally the switch will be in the position shown so that the line 89 will not be interrupted or, in other words, so that the i vIt is, of course, to be assumed that the proper and -re uisite amount of sealing meas tar, as been introduced into'the that is to say that the upper gutter 5 lled (or partially and 10 partially or fully diuin, apparatus, trough is filled, so), chambers 9 char half its capacity. If now the circuit is closed through the timing mechanism or through manipulation of the switch 90, the skimmer pumps will come 1nto operation and draw the water from off of the tar within the gutter 5, the water flowing over the Weir 19 to the pump 22,--this assumin' the valve 24 is open,'and the water and light oils will then be forced through the mains 29 to the settling tank 30. down the inner gutter 5 it will be gradually forced upwardly through through ipe 32, and over the Weir 34 into the cham er 9. It will then pass beneathl the partition 17 into the chamber 10 free of water or lighter oils. When it rises to a given height in said chamber 10, ioat 46 will throw the actuating switch 47 and thus bring the -tar pump 41 into operation thereby A withdrawing the tar from the compartment 10, through pipe 42, upwardly into the distributing boxes 44, through the mains or pi es 43.

hen the tar has been pumped out to a iven level from the chamber 10 the float will rop and the switch 47 will be opened thereby bringing the pum 41 to rest.

The water whic passes through the mains 29 from the various skimmer tanks to the settling tank 30 will gradually build u upon the tar within the'tank and its weig t will necessarily depress the tar level within the tank and cause tar to flow upwardly through the pipe 63, thence downwardly through the pipe 62, into the pipe 60, and back to the gutter or trough 5.

The attendant may withdraw the water from the tank 30'as necessary by bringing the ed, and tank 30 likewise filled say to the member 31, past valve 33,'

t will thus be seen that the apparatus is automatic in its operation and that the water is removed from the tar in the gutter at a luralit of points s aced around the holder. emova at a plura ity of points is found to be more eilcient than seeking to draw the water from a single point in the trough as n seek its removal from a single point necessitates flow of the water for a distance of at a pump locate least half the circumference of the tank.

What is claimed is:

1. In a as holder the combination of. a shell or bod a piston like closure therefor; sealing means carried b the closure acting against the face of the dy in conjunction with a liquid sealing medium; a gutter located in the lower portion of the holder in which the down-flowin liquid collects; a series of pumps locate at intervals about the holder, the inta-kes of said pumps being connected to the gutter for Withdrawal o water which lies upon the sealing medium within the gutter; a settlin tank adapted to contain sealin medium, an into which tank the water is discharged and means for conliquid rom the tank to the ducting sealin liquid is displaced by the holder as suc water.

2. In a waterless as holder the combination of a shell or bo y; a piston like closure therein; a collecting gutter for the liquid sealing medium employed in conjunction with the closure; a plurality of tanks arranged about the same; means for withdrawing the sealing medium from the gutter each of said tanks; means located Within said tanks for separating water and light oils from the sealing medium; automatic means for forcing the purified sealin medium back into the holder; means within the tanks for collecting the se arated water and light oils; at each tank, the intake whereo s connected with the upper portion of the gutter; a settling tank adapted to contain a bod)7 of sealing liquid; a main connecting the pump discharges with the settling tank; and means for conducting sealing liquid from the settling tank to the -gutter as such liquid is displaced by the incoming water.

3. In combination with a. gas holder body or shell; a piston like closure therefor" sealing means involving the use of a. li uid 'sealing medium between the closure an the wall of the holder; means located at the base of the holder for collectin the sealing medium and any entrained liquid of lighter specific gravity; a series of tankslocated about the holder; connections extending from the lower portion of the collecting means to each tank for removing the sealing medium from said means to the tanks; means located in the .latter for effecting a separation of water and light oils from the sealing medium; means for returning the cleansed sealing medium from the tanks, to the upper portion of the holder; a' settlin tank, contai sealing medium, said tan collecting means through an open but normallyI inoperative connection; and means for withdrawing water and light oils from the upper surface of the sealing medium held in the collecting means at a lurality of points about the holder, and disc ar the saine into the settling tank, whereby t e sealing medium will be displaced andcaused t0 flow into the collecting means at the base of the holder. I

4. In combination with a gas holder bod or shell; a piston like closure therefor' seal ing means involving the use of a li ui sealing medium between the closure an the wall of the holder;nieans located at the base of the holder for collecting the sealing medium and any entrained liquid of the lighter specif-A ic gravity; a series of tanks located about' the holder; connections extending from the lower portion of the collecting means to each tank for removing the sealing medium from said means to the tanks; means located in the latter for effecting a separation of water' and light oils from the sealing medium; means for returning the cleansed sealing medium from the tanks to the upper portion of the holder; a settling tank, containn being connected with the` of the holder; and means for removing the accumulated water and light oils from the settling tank.

5. Inv combination with a gas holder body or shell; a piston like closure thereior sealing means involving the use of a ing medium between the closure an the wall of the holder; means located at the base of the holder for collecting the sealing medium and any entrained li uid of lighter specific gravity; a series o tanks located about the holder and interconnected with the collecting means for withdrawing the collected material of hea cated within eac ing any entrained the heavier sealing material; means for forcing said purified sealing material back to the upper portion of the holder; a settling tank containing sealing medium, said tank being of the tanks or segregatconnected with the collecting means through within the collecting means and discharging iilui sealspecific gravit means lowater or light oils from.

it into the settling tank, whereby the medium in the settling tank will be displaced and caused to flow into the collecting means "1`0 of the holder at the base of the holder.

v6. In a gas holder the combination of a body or shell; a piston like closure therefor' sealing means involving the use of a liquid sealing medium between the closure and the wall of the body' means located at the base for collecting the sealing medium; means for withdrawing such water and light oil as may iloat upon the surface Y of the sealin medium within the collecting means; a tan having an open but normally .i5 inoperative connection with the holder; and

means for forcing the withdrawn water and light oil into the-tank, whereby the sealing medium will be displaced and caused to iiow I into the holder.

' sealin '3'0 tive connection with the holder; means for forcing the withdrawn water and light oil into the tank; and means for removing water and light oil from the tank.

8. In a gas holder the combination of a body or shell a piston like closure therefor sealing means involving the use of a liquid sealing medium between the closure and the wall of the body; means located at the base of the holder for collecting the sealing medium; means for withdrawing such water and light oil as may ioat upon the surface of the sealing medium within the collecting means; a tank having an open but normally inoperative connection with the holder; means for forcing the withdrawn water and li ht oil into the tank; a float sustained drawo pipe located within the tank; and a pump connected to said draw-ofi' pipe.

9. Inl a as holder the combination of a body or she, l; a piston like closure therefor; sealing means involving the use of a liquid sealing medium between the closure and the withdrawal of the sealin wall of the body; means located at the base of the holder for collecting the sealing medium; a tank located adjacent the hol'der, said tank having two pockets,'an intake and a discharge pocket, formed therein and in communication with each other at their lower ends, there also being present in the tank a skimmer pocket communicating at'its upper edge with the intake pocket; means aiordin communication between the lower portion o the collecting means and the intake pocket for medium from the former; means for with rawing the sealing 05 medium from the discharge pocket and returning the same to the holder; means fof withdrawing liquid from the skimmer pocket; and a pressure equalizing connection between the holder and the upper portion of the intake pocket.

10. In a s holder the combination of a body or shea; a piston like closure therefor; sealing means, involving the use of a liquid sealing medium between the closure and the inner wall of the body; means located at the base of the holder and extending around the same for collecting the sealing medium, water and light oils; a plurality of oii'take pipes opening at intervals about the holder into the upper portion of said collecting means; an electrically driven pump connected to each of said pi es; and a timing mechanism for periodical y throwing said pumps into and out of action.

11. In a holder the combination of a body or she l; a piston like closure therefor; sealing means, involving the use of a liquid sealing medium between the closure and the inner wall of the body; means located at the base of the holder and extending around the saine for collecting the sealing medium, water and light oils; a 1plurality of ofl'take' pipes opening at interva s about the holder into the upper portion of said collecting means; an electricall of said pipes; a timing mechanism for periodically throwing said pumps into and out of action; and manually controlled means for placing the pumps in circuit independent of the timing mechanism.

12. In a gas holder the combination of a body or she l; a piston like closure therefor; sealing means, involving the use of a liquid sealing medium between the closure and the inner wall of the body; means located at the base of the holder and extending around the same for collecting the sealing medium, water and light oils; a pluralitylof otake pipes opening at intervals about the holder into the upper portion of said collecting means; an electrically driven pump connected to each of said pipes; a timin mechanism. for periodically throwing sai pumps into and out of action; means causin the sealing liquid to flow outwardly from t e collecting means; means for removing water and oil .from said driven pump connected to each liquid; and means forforcing the cleaned CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent No. 1,829,519. Granted October 27, 1931, to

KONRAD :Aoscmrz Er All..r

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page. 5,' line 85, clnim 4, strike out the nrticle "the" before the Word lighter; and thnt the said Letters Patent should be rend with this correction therein that the saine may conform to the record of the ease in the Patent Office.

Signed `and sealed this 8th day of December, A. lD. 1931.

M. .i. Moore,

(Seal) A cting Cotmniseioner of Patents. 

